Kerf-cutting machine



f May 4, 1937. w. w. sLoANE I 2,079,428

KERF' CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18, 1935 I III? I Il E 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 4, 1937.

W. W; lSLOAN E KERF CUTTING MACHINE Filed NOV. 18, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented May 4, '1937 UNITE STAT serra Ass cries corporation of Illinois man Manufacturing Company, Chicago, ill., a

Application November 18, 1935, Serial No. 50,295

13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in kerfcutting machines and more particularly to improvements in kerf-cutting machines of the type adapted to cut an arcuate kerf in a mine wall.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide an improved means of a novel construction for automatically stopping pivotal movement of the cutter bar at certain predetermined points when moving in either direction. Another object of my invention is to so arrange this means as to permit further movement of the cutter bar beyond these predetermined points under manual control, which movement is stopped upon release of the hand from the control means.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specication proceeds.

My invention may be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan viewof the forward portion of a machine embodying the features of my invention with certain parts broken away and shown in section;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along line 2 2 of Figure l;V

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view illustrating certain details of the clutch shifting mechanism with certain parts shown in longitudinal section;

Figure 4 isA an enlarged detail view showing certain other of the details of the clutch shifting mechanism not shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view illustrating certain details of the automatic mechanism for stopping pivotal movement of the cutter bar.

My invention, as illustrated in the drawings, is shown as being embodied in a track-mounted mining machine of the bottom cutting type of a construction similar to that shown in a prior application, Serial No. 749,345, filed by William T. McCullough, October 22, 1934, which will only herein be shown and described insofar as is necessary to clearly illustrate my present invention.

Said mining machine includes a main frame or truck II) which forms a base for a turntable II. Said turntable forms a support and feeding means for a cutting element, generally indicated by reference character I2, which includes a motor I3 having a cutter frame i4 secured thereto and extending forwardly therefrom beyond the forward end of said truck. Said cutter frame is mounted on said turntable on a pair of trunnion supports I5, I5 for adjustment with respect to said turntable about a transverse axis.

A frame I6 is supported by the cutter frame I4 for slidable movement with respect thereto in a pair of parallel-spaced guides, generally indicated by reference characters Il, Il. Said frame is adjustably moved toward or from said cutter frame by means of a threaded shaft ila connected at its lower end to the frame i6 and threaded within the hub of a worm gear I8 journaled in said cutter frame. Said worm gear is selectively driven from the motor I3 by means of a suitable gear train in a manner which will` not herein be described since it is no portion ofv my present invention. Y

The frame I6 forms a pivotal support for a cutter head I9 having a cutter bar 2G projecting therefrom. Said cutter head is mounted in said frame for pivotal movement with respect thereto about an axis perpendicular to the cutting planev of said cutter bar in a suitable manner which will not herein be described since it is no portion of my present invention and is clearly disclosed in the aforementioned prior application of William 'I'. McCullough. Said cutter bar has a cutter chain 2| movable thereabout which is driven from the motor I3 by means of a sprocke 22 and a Suitable gear train, generally indicated by reference character 23, but not herein shown or described in detail since it is no portion of my present invention.

The means for swinging the cutter bar 243 about the axis of pivotal connection of the cutter head I9 to the frame It at either a high positioning speed or a low feeding speed includes a spur gear 24 mounted on the cutter head I9. Said spur gear is meshed with and driven by a spur pinion 25 journaled in the frame i6 and driven by a splined shaft 26. The upper end of said splined shaft slidably engages a splined sleeve 2'! driven by a worm gear 28.

The worm gear 28 meshes with and is driven by a worm 29 on the forward end of a shaft 3Q extending longitudinally of the cutter frame I4 and journaled therein. The pitch of said worm and worm gear is such that said gears will lock said cutter bar from pivotal movement, except when the shaft 3l! is driven by the motor.

A spur pinion 3l is freely mounted on the shaft 3d adjacent the rearward end thereof. Said spur pinion is journaled on its hub in said cutter frame in a suitable bearing member 32 and is driven from a bevel gear 33 mounted on its hub rearwardly of said bearing member. Said spur pinion forms a drive means for said shaft and its teeth are adapted to be meshed with internal teeth of a clutch member, indicated generally by reference character 34. Said clutch member is feathered on the shaft 36 and is slidably moved along said shaft by means of a suitable system of levers in a manner which will not herein be shown or described, since it is no portion of my present invention.

The spur gear 3| also forms a drive member for reduction gearing for driving the shaft at a low feeding speed. Said gearing includes a spur gear 35 keyed to the rearward end of a longitudinally extending shaft 36 and driven by said spur pinion. A spur pinion 31 is keyed to the forward end of said shaft and meshes with and drives a spur gear 38 coaxial with the shaft 36 and journaled on its hub in a bearing member 39 supported in the cutter frame I4.

Ihe shaft 36 is selectively driven from the spur gear 68 by means of the clutch member 34 which is provided with suitable internal teeth adapted to engage external teeth 46 formed on the hub of said spur gear.

The bevel gear 33 is meshed with a bevel pinion 43 on the outer end of a transversely extending shaft 44. A bevel gear 45 is keyed to the opposite end of said shaft and is meshed with and. driven by oppositely disposed bevel gears 46, 46 freely mounted on a longitudinally extending shaft 41. Said shaft is journaled in the cutter frame I4 in a suitable manner and the cutter chain drive mechanism 2I is driven from its forward end. Said shaft also forms a drive means for the means for adjustably moving the cutter bar 20 towards or from the frame I4. Said shaft is driven from the motor I 3 by means of a gear train, generally indicated by reference character 48.

Suitable clutch mechanisms are provided for selectively connecting either of the bevel gears 46, 46 with the shaft 41 for driving either of said bevel gears therefrom. Said clutch mechanisms may be of any type, but are herein preferably shown as being a pairof friction clutches, generally indicated by reference character 50. Said clutches are of an ordinary construction and are selectively engaged with or disengaged from said shaft by means of a clutch shifting member 5I feathered on said shaft and so arranged that movement thereof in one direction will engage one of said clutches with said shaft and permit said other clutch to be disengaged therefrom (see Figure 3) so that only one of said bevel gears may be driven at a time.

The clutch shifting member 5I has a clutch collar 53 mounted thereon which is adapted to be engaged by a forked member 54 keyed on a transversely extending rock shaft 55. Said rock shaft is pivotally mounted in the cutter frame I4 and has a crank arm 56 secured to its outer end (see Figure 4). Said crank arm has a forked connecting member 51 pivotally connected to its free end which has a rod 58 threaded therein. The opposite end of said rod is in the form of an open eye and is pivotally connected to the outer end of a crank arm 59 mounted on a transversely extending rock shaft 60. Said rock shaft is in turn rocked by means of a suitable hand lever 6I and rocking movement thereof in one direction or another will engage one or the other of the friction clutches 55, 55 with the shaft 41 for swinging the cutter barv 20 in reverse directions Without reversal of the motor.

Said hand lever is provided with a springpressed plunger 63 adapted to engage a suitable aperture formed in a plate 64 for holding the clutches 56, 50 in a neutral position. Said springpressed plunger is withdrawn from its respective aperture by means of a lever 65 pivoted to said hand lever in an ordinary manner, and is engaged with said aperture by means of a spring 65a. interposed between said hand lever and the lever 65. It should be understood that the plate 64 is provided with one aperture only for holding the clutches in a neutral position and that such apertures are not provided for holding said clutches in an engaged position, said clutches being so arranged that they will remain in an engaged position when pressure on said hand lever is released.

Referring now in particular to the novel means for automatically shifting the clutches 56, 55 to a neutral position when the cutter bar 26 reaches -a predetermined extreme cutting position when swinging in either direction, a connecting link 66 is pivotally connected to the crank arm 56 and extends forwardly therefrom. Said connecting link has a bifurcated connecting member 61 threaded on its forward end for adjusting the length of said link, which is pivotally connected to the end of a lever arm 68 mounted on a rock shaft 66. Said lever arm is formed integra-l with an operating lever 10 which has an arm 1I extending radially from the center of said rock shaft in the same direction as the lever arm 68, and another arm 12 extending radially in an opposite direction from the center of said rock shaft. The arm 1I is adapted to be engaged by a lug 13 extending from a shifting member 14 for pivoting said operating lever upon rotation of said shifting member in one direction. The arm 'I2 is adapted to be engaged by a lug 15 for pivoting said operating lever in an opposite direction upon rotation of said shifting mem-r ber in an opposite direction. It should be noted that when the operating lever 10 is positioned as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, that the clutches 50, 56 are in a neutral position and that when in this position each of the arms 1I and l2 are engaged by the lugs 13 and 15. Thus, manual shifting of said clutches must be against the shifting member 14, and when either of said clutches is in an engaged position said arms are extended in one direction or another from the axis of the rock shaft 69, dependent upon which of said clutches is in mesh. Said shifting member is rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft 16 and yieldably driven thereby at the speed of rotation of said cutter bar.

The drive to the shaft 16 includes a spur gear 11 keyed to the upper end of the sleeve 21 and driven thereby. Said spur gear meshes with and drives a spur gear 18 keyed to the upper end of the vertical shaft 16 for rotatably driving said shaft. Said spur gear is journaled on its hub in a suitable bearing member 19 carried by the cutter frame I4, and the lower end of said vertical shaft is mounted in a suitable bearing member carried by said cutter frame. The reduction between the sleeve 21 and the shaft 16 is such that the speed of rotation of said shaft is the same as the speed of rotation of the cutter bar 26.

The shifting member 14 is yieldably driven from the shaft 16 by means of a driving member 8l feathered on said shaft. Said driving member has a pair of oppositely disposed V-shaped depressions 82, 82 formed therein andadapted to be engaged by V-shaped jaws 83, 83 extending upwardly from said shifting member. The angle of incidence of said depressions with respect to said jaws is such that said jaws may bedisengaged therefrom upon a certain predetermined load on said shifting member.

A compression spring 84 encircles the hub of said shifting member and abuts the upper surface thereof at one of its ends and is abutted at its other end by a collar 85. Said collar is provided with a plurality of progressively-arranged notches 86, 86 formed on its upper surface. One of said notches is adapted to be engaged by a suitable pin 87 extending through said shaft. It will be apparent that the tension of the Spring 84 may be adjusted b-y rotatably moving the collar 85 to engage the pin 81 with the desired notch 86.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that upon rotation of the cutter bar 20 in one direction, the vertical shaft 16 being driven at the speed of rotation of the cutter bar, the shifting member 'I4 will be rotatably driven until either the lug 'I3 or the lug 15 engages the respective lever arm of the operating lever 1B, depending upon the Vdir ection of rotation of said shifting member. Upon engagement of said operating-lever with either the lug 13 or 15, theA clutchmember 5l .will be moved along the shaft :il by means of the linkage system hereinbefore described, until the spring-pressed plunger 63 engagesl the aperture in the plate 64 for holding said clutches in a neutral position.

When said clutches are in a neutral position and it is desired to pivotally move the cutter bar a further distance in the same direction, it is only necessary to disengage the plunger 63 from the plate and pivot the hand lever 6| against the compression spring 84 and driving member 8|, it being apparent that upon engagement of said clutches the shaft 'i4 may be rotated against said spring and shifting member. The instant the hand is removed from said hand lever, said spring will engage .the driving member with the shifting member and throw the clutches 50, 50 to a neutral position. Thus, where the cutter bar is automatically stopped at a certain point, and conditions arise Where it is necessary to pivot be- Y yond this point, the cutter bar may be pivoted beyond this point by power as long as hand pressure is exerted against the lever 6|, and the in- 'stant the hand is removed from said hand lever,

the clutches for controlling pivotal movement of said cutter bar will be shifted to a neutral position. l

While I have herein shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the construction and arrangement of the various parts may be altered or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Furthermore, I do not Wish to be construed as limiting myself to the specic form illustrated herein, excepting as it may be particularly limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: y

1. In a mining machine, a base, a motor thereon, a frame projecting from said base, a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar including a clutch and a yvertical shaft selectively driven thereby, and means for automatically stopping swinging movement of said cutter bar at certain predetermined points including a second shaft parallel to said rst shaft, a gear mounted on said shaft and rotatably driven by said first shaft, and a member freely mounted on said second shaft and driven by said gear for shifting said clutch to a neutral position.

' 2. In a mining machine, a base, a motor thereon, a frame projecting from said base, a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar including a clutch, and means for automatically stopping swinging movement of said cutter bar at a predetermined point including a member rotatably driven by the means for swinging said cutter bar, and means yieldably driven by said member for shifting said clutch to a neutral position and arranged to permit manual shifting of said clutch against said yieldable driven member.

3. In a mining machine, a base, a motor thereon, a frame projecting from said base, a cutter bar'pivotally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar including a clutch, and means for automatically stopping swinging movement of said cutter bar at a certain predetermined point including a member rotatably driven by the means for swinging said cutter bar and yieldable means driven by said member for shifting said clutch to a neutral position, and manually operable means acting against said automatic shifting means for shifting said clutch to effect movement of said cutter bar beyond said predetermined positions, said clutch being disengaged by said automatic shifting means upon release of pressure from said manual shifting means.

4. In a mining machine, a base, a motor thereon, a frame projecting from said base, a cutter bar pivo-tally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar in reverse directions without reversal of said motor including a plurality of clutches, manually operable means for shifting said clutches including a rock shaft and means for rocking said rock shaft,`and automatic means for shifting said clutches toa neutral position upon movement of said cutter bar to certain predetermined positions when swinging in either direction including a member rotatably driven by the means for swinging said cutter bar, a rocking member having operative connection with said rock shaft, and means driven by said member having operative engagement'with said rocking member.

5. In a mining machine, a base, a motor thereon, a frame projecting from said base, a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar in reverse directions without reversal of said motor including a plurality of clutches, and automatic means for shifting said clutches to a neutral position upon movement of said cutter bar to certain predetermined positions including a member rotatably driven by the means for swinging said cutter bar, a shifting member coaxial with and driven by said member and a rocking member adapted to be engaged by said shifting member, said member having operative connection with said clutches for shifting them to a neutral position lupon rocking movement thereof, and means manually operable against said automatic shifting means for shifting either of said clutches to an engaged position to move said cutter bar beyond said predetermined positions, said clutches being disengaged by said automatic shifting means upon release of pressure from said manual shifting means.

6. In a mining machine, a base, a motor therec on, aframe projecting from said base, a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar including a clutch, and means for automatically stopping swinging movement of said cutter Ill l'.

bar at certain predetermined points including a shaft driven by the means for swinging said cutter bar, a member yieldably engaged with said shaft and adapted to be rotated thereby, and clutch shifting means adapted to be engaged by said member.

7. In a mining machine, a base, a motor thereon, a frame projecting from said base, a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar including a clutch, and means for'automatically stopping swinging movement of said cutter bar at certain predetermined points including a shaft driven by the means for swinging said cutter bar, a member coaxial with said shaft and means driven by said shaft having a yieldable driving connection with said member, and clutch shifting means including a rocking member adapted tobe engaged by said member coaxial with said shaft. v

8. In a mining machine, a base, a motor thereon, a frame projecting from said base, a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar including a clutch, and means for automatically stopping swinging movement of said cutter bar at certain predetermined points including a shaft driven by the means for swinging said cutter bar at the speed of rotation of said cutter bar, ai

member coaxial with said shaft, and" means driven by said shafthaving a yieldable driving connection with said member, clutch shifting means including a rocking member adapted to be engaged by said member coaxial with said shaft, and manually operable means for shiftingsaid clutch, said manually operablemeans being operable against said yieldable driving connection, whereby said cutter bar may be moved loeyond said predetermined stopping point under manual control and stopped upon release of said manually operable means.

9. In a mining machine, a base, a motor, a frame, a projecting cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar in reverse directions without reversal of said motor including reverse gearing and a pair of coaxial clutches, and automatic means for shifting said clutches to a neutral position uponl movement of said cutter bar to certain predetermined positions when swinging in either direction including a shaft rotatably driven by the means for swinging said cutterbar at the speed of rotation of said cutter bar, and means yieldably driven by said shaft having operative engagement with saidA clutches.

10. In a mining machine, a base, a motor, a frame, a projecting cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar in reverse directions without reversal of said motor including reverse gearing and a pair of coaxial clutches, and automatic means for shifting said clutches to a neutral position upon movement of said cutter bar to certain predetermined positions when swinging in either direction including a shaft rotatably driven by the means for swinging said cutter bar at the speed of rotation of said cutter bar, a member coaxial with said shaft, clutch shifting mechanism, means on said member engageable with said clutch shifting mechanism whereby rotation of said member in one direction will shift one of said clutches to a neutral position and rotation of said member in another direction will shift said opposite clutch to a neutral position,

and a yieldable driving 'connection between said shaft and member.' '.11. Inra mining .machina a base, a motor, a frame, a projecting cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, meansv driven by said motor for swinging said' cutter bar in reverse directions without reversal of said motor including reverse gearing'and a pair of'coaxial clutches, and automatic means for shifting said clutches to a neutral position upon movement of said cutter bar to certain predetermined positions when swinging in either direction including a shaft rotatably driven by the means 4for swinging said cutter bar, a member coaxial with said shaft, clutch shifting mechanism, means on said member for engaging said clutch shifting mechanism whereby rotation of said member in one direction will shift one of said clutches to a neutral position and rotation of vsaid member yin another direction will shift said opposite clutch to a neutral position, a yieldable driving connection between said shaft and member permitting rotation of said shaft against said member and manually operable means for shifting said clutches against said member.

l2. In a mining machine, a base, a motor, a frame, a projecting cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar in reverse directions Without reversal of said motor including reverse gearing and a pair of coaxial clutches, and automatic means for shifting said clutches to a neutra] position upon movement of saidcutter bar to certain predetermined positions when swinging in either direction including a shaftrotatably driven by the means for swinging said cutter bar at the speed of rotation of said cutter bar, a shifting member coaxial with said shaft, clutch shifting mechanism,`means on said shifting member engageable with said clutch shifting mechanism whereby rotation of said shiftingmember in one direction will vshift one of said clutches to a neutral position and rotation of said shifting member in another direction will shift said opposite clutch to a neutral position, a drive member on said shaft and driven therefrom,'and yieldable means engaging said drive member with said shifting member for yieldably driving said shifting member.

13. In a mining machine, a base, a motor, a framefa projecting cutter bar pivotall'yfmou'nted on'said frame, means drivenv by said motor k for swinging said' cutter bar in reverse directions Without reversal of said motor including reverse gearing and a plurality'of coaxial clutches,

and automatic means for shifting said clutches to a neutral position upon movement of said cutter bar to certain predetermined positions when swinging in either direction including a shaft rotatably driven by the means for swinging said cutter bar, a shifting member coaxial with ysaid shaft, clutch shifting mechanism, means on said shifting member for engaging'said clutch shifting mechanism whereby rotation vof said shifting member in one direction will shift one of said clutches to a neutral position and rotation of said shifting member in another direction will shift said. opposite clutch to a neutral position, a drive member on said shaft and driven therefrom, and yieldable means engaging said'drive member with said shifting memberl for yieldably driving said shifting member from said drive member and permitting rotation of Vsaid shaft, and manually operable means for shifting said clutches against'said shifting member;

, WILLIAM vW. SLOANE. 

